FREE GETAWAYS FOR FEAT CLIENTS

Over the past year we proudly provided free stays in our eco-pods for those currently experiencing difficulties in their lives to improve wellbeing. We think everyone is entitled to a wee break regardless of circumstance.

Thanks to funding from Crown Estates and Fife Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund we can now open up this offer to the community again! 

Those eligible include those experiencing any of the following, we may ask for evidence of this in advance.
- Facing socio-economic disadvantage.
- Have experienced bereavement or loss.
- Have a diagnosed mental health illness.
- Have a long term health condition or disability.

(This is not an exhaustive list so contact us if you have any other special circumstances and if you're already a service user registered with FEAT, you'll qualify automatically)

If you would like a free weekday break in our pods all you have to do is contact our team by email at camping@silverburnpark.co.uk and we will provide more information and arrange your stay.

We are pleased to announce that a start date has been confirmed to begin the transformative works to Silverburn Park’s B-listed former flax mill.

Having taken on responsibility for managing Silverburn Park in recent years, signing a long-term lease from the local Council in 2017 and since establishing successful enterprising activities including The Cottage Window Café and award-winning Silverburn Park Campsite. The organisation also host a variety of events each year, with the recent Silverburn Festival attracting over 500 revellers and over 20 artists.

FEAT took on the challenge of rejuvenating the Park as a means to provide new opportunities to their client group to gain skills and benefit from being in nature to support mental health and wellbeing improvements and ultimately as an income generator to reduce their reliance on grant funding and donations for their core work.

However, years of planning and feasibility studies identified renovating the flax mill and utilising it as a new visitor attraction for the area including a café/restaurant, backpackers hostel, artist studios, a retail shop and flexible space – as well as dedicated community-use space, was the best plan to generate income, as well as opportunities for training and employment and provide a wider economic boost to the area.

Thanks to funding from a range of sources, FEAT were able to go to tender earlier this year to secure a contractor to take on the complex task of restoration, however in the period between securing the target level of funding and the actual tenders being compiled, the cost of living crisis and effects of the war in the Ukraine added nearly £2m on to the estimated total and the prospect of work getting under way was at threat.

Duncan Mitchell, CEO of FEAT, explains, “Having raised millions of pounds and hitting our target, it was really gut-wrenching to discover we were still around £2m short when the tenders came in. We only had 90 days from tender returns to secure the most effective contract and therefore limited time to raise the additional funds needed. However, we have been blown away by the support of the main funders for the project, who have all uplifted their grant awards to collectively close that gap and ensure that works can go ahead, with a start date of August 2023.

Those funders, National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland, The Scottish Government, Fife Council and Historic Environment Scotland came up with grant increases at very short notice and this demonstrates their support and desire to see the flax mill transformed.

Caroline Clark, Director of National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland said:
"We are thrilled to see this project progressing to the next phase of delivery, thanks to the support of National Lottery players. The restoration of the flax mill will not only preserve this significant building but also bring valuable skills development and economic opportunities to the local communities of Leven. It is a testament to the power of heritage and its ability to transform lives. We look forward to seeing its positive impact on the area."

Alongside the actual construction works, there is an ongoing programme of heritage activities to engage Park visitors in the rich industrial history of the mill, the wider Park and also the social history which is a fascinating story, the Park and buildings having been gifted to the People of Levenmouth in 1973 by the Russell Family who owned the estate previously and indeed operated the flax mill during the 1850s.

Duncan adds, “When we took this challenge on, we didn’t really appreciate the enormity of it but supported by a wonderful team including Fife Historic Buildings Trust, Sinclair Watt Architects and various services of Fife Council, we’ve made it to this stage – which trust me, felt unlikely to happen on many occasions over the years.”

Clark Contracts have secured the contract to renovate the Mill, with works set to complete in March 2026.  Michael Scanlan, Director at Clark Contracts, added, “It has been a fantastic effort by everyone involved at FEAT in getting this major restoration project to this stage. We are looking forward to working collaboratively with them and the wider stakeholders over the next couple of years to create a world-class visitor centre and community space.”

Christine May, Chair of Fife Historic Buildings Trust, said “We are so excited that work will now begin on site at the flax mill. It’s a privilege to be part of the team working with FEAT in their vision to conserve and develop this unique B-listed building. The support of all the funders and the work of the dedicated design team has been invaluable. We look forward to seeing the flax mill open to the public for local people and visitors to enjoy at the heart of Silverburn Park.”

Duncan continues, “Having secured a total of funds in the region of £10,000,000 for this project, it has been a fundraising campaign like no other we’ve seen from a local charity and I am so proud to have played a part. I also recognise that despite reaching this total, more money may yet be needed as we know from other similar projects that historic buildings can have many secrets and there will, I’m sure, be unforeseen, and currently uncosted, works that will be required over the coming years, so a gentle reminder to everyone that our crowdfunding campaign is still open and every penny we can raise will help to cover all eventualities ahead.”

Finally, Duncan remembered the enormous impact that former trustee Brian Robertson had on getting FEAT to this stage, “Brian volunteered with us for around 7 years and put in hours of work supporting with the development of plans for the flax mill. Without his input, we’d still be in the planning stage and we can never forget this – the mill’s restoration in no small part is due to his efforts.”

“Brian passed away in February 2023 before the confirmation of the contract with Clarks and it is so sad to think he won’t see the final result of his countless hours of volunteering being realised. Everyone at FEAT has that extra determination though to make sure the building does open in 2026 and be a lasting legacy and memorial to him”

Further information about the Park, the flax mill project and FEAT’s core mental health activities are available at www.silverburnpark.co.uk including a virtual tour of the mill, narrated by Brian Robertson.

FEAT appreciate the support of a wide number of funders and individual donations that have supported this development, notably:
National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland
The Scottish Government – Regeneration Capital Grant Fund
Fife Council
Historic Environment Scotland
Levenmouth Reconnected Programme
UK Government Community Ownership Fund
The Robertson Trust
The Wolfson Foundation
The Swire Charitable Trust
The Hugh Fraser Foundation
The Community, thanks to crowdfunding and donations

Employ your Mind was a ground-breaking project established in 2012 and has supported hundreds of individuals with severe mental health issues to better self-manage their conditions and reach their own outcomes in life - be that employment, training/education, volunteering or engaging in community activities.

Sadly from April 2023 the project will no longer be running as we take some time out to review the provision and adapt it for the future.

Cognitive remediation therapy was a key element of the programme, however CRT will continue to be available to participants on the Fife Individual Placement & Support Service.

Huge thanks to all the staff over the years who have delivered Employ your Mind, and its spin-off programme "Grow your Mind" - and watch this space for news about future services to fill this gap.

During November 2021 we managed to secure funding from the UK Government's Community Renewal Fund to trial a new, structured volunteering programme in Silverburn Park, as well as finalise the master plan for the Park itself.

The project officially completed in October 2022 and our external, independent evaluation is now available to view here 

The evidence shows the programme was a great success but also highlighted a number of learning points to help us plan a roll-out of the programme in the future.

We secured funding thanks to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to extend this programme through until Summer 2023 and are searching for other funds to continue for a longer spell.

We have been working with veterans experiencing mental health conditions over the past few years and our current programme focusing on this group "Grow your Mind" is proving to be incredibly effective.

Veterans are undertaking a wide range of conservation and horticultural activities in our base at Silverburn Park and several are now independently volunteering with us, managing veg allotments.

The programme is part-funded by the Veterans' Foundation - the Foundation funds a wide range of projects for our heroes in need and one way they raise funds to support these causes is through their Veterans' Lottery.

For just £10 per month you can sign up to the Lottery and play your part in helping veterans across the UK - if you sign up using this link, the Foundation will also give us an extra donation!  On top of all that, signing up gives you the chance to win up to £50,000 tax free!

Good luck and thanks for your support!

Earlier this year Ayanay Psychological Accreditation (APA) launched the new Ethical & Psychological 20:20 Vision Awards. These have been designed to recognise and celebrate the phenomenal work being done to tackle the EPIC challenges, associated with Mental Health in the UK. 

APA is dedicated to supporting all professionals that work in and around the world of psychology.  (Whether they are Counsellors, Psychotherapists, Coaches, Social workers, Youth Workers, Mental Health Practitioners etc.)

The response to an epic challenge must be just as epic. Their Awards focus on those organisations, charities, and individuals that Elevate Provide, Improve, Create solutions for positive Mental Heath in specific areas.

• Mental Health in the Workplace
• Contribution Award
• Youth Engagement
• Psychological Education

We are delighted to confirm that following receipt of a nomination for a Contribution Award, a nomination that, not only reflects Fife Employment Access Trust's dedication and professional commitment, to supporting those in need and the wider community, but also acknowledges the collaborative approach of the our partnerships, the team at APA have recognised our collective impact.

Dave Sleet, Managing Director of APA says, "Going above and beyond for those you engage with, be that Clients, Volunteers, the Public, or Fellow Professionals. Providing a safe and constant support that not only elevates positive communication, improves long-term outcomes and creates a mental health resilience that will empower clients to achieve a life long understanding of their full potential. APA is therefore delighted to award Fife Employment Access Trust and Partners an Ethical & Psychological Contribution Award."

On the 1st October 2021 all award winners will be entered into a Public vote with the winners in each category receiving the Annual 20:20 Vision Award. The public vote is the only vote of its kind in the UK, that promotes the examples of best practice, so that others may be inspired to respond in their own EPIC way to the world of Mental Health.  

Our work to regenerate Silverburn Park has received some national interest and pleased to say we're appearing on BBC's "Landward" programme later this month!

Tune in at 8.30 pm on Thursday 24th June to see the premiere, thereafter available on BBC iPlayer.

Two of our volunteer Board members, Brian Robertson and John Ennis, discuss our work with host JJ Chalmers - looking forward to seeing the final cut!

Our staff member and former service-user, William, is featured within an inspiring evening of short documentaries on Tuesday 25th May 2021.

William's story (Stolen Years) is summarised in a film on our homepage, however this extended version by filmmaker Jeremiah Quinn was selected by Shorts on Tap to feature in a hard-hitting online event.

It's free to register and see all six short documentaries by visiting Shorts on Tap, and there is a bonus opportunity to take part in a Q&A session after the airing with William and Jeremiah.

It's a must-see film, hope you can make it!

We will move out of our premises in Glenrothes this week after twenty years in the town, relocating  into Silverburn Park near Leven with our services now being based outdoors and on online. We took on the lease for the 27-acre public park in 2019. 

“It made sense to be closer to Silverburn as it has proved more and more useful to be able to get clients into nature, which is so helpful for everyone’s mental health. Some of our courses, such as ‘Employ Your Mind’, are already being run completely outdoors. We also have a number of clients volunteering at the park and some have even ended up with a job there,” said Duncan Mitchell CEO of FEAT. “In addition our services have moved online over the past year due to the pandemic and so it was a no brainer. We can now save money and cut our carbon footprint too.” 

We are also fundraising at present for a multi-million pound visitor centre and community hub within the park, which will include offices for FEAT plus a café and restaurant, a shop, backpackers’ hostel with en-suite rooms, arts and craft studios, public toilets with fully accessible Changing Space facilities, as well as spaces for meetings, events and learning. The premises, which it is hoped will open in 2025, when it is planned the Levenmouth Railway will be operational, will take what the charity do to new level. People will be able learn new skills, train in different roles and gain employment. 

On Monday (18 Jan 2021) the park will host a 300 plus lantern community art installation, focussing on local the heritage industries of linen and paper making by using images of flax flowers and paper. The installation is a pilot project to see how such heritage crafts could be received when carried out in the new building. It will be held as part of Blue Monday – January 18th - supposedly the most depressing day of the year and focusses on helping support people with their mental health in these challenging times. We need to raise further funds to complete the build and have so far raised more than £22,000 via a community crowdfunding campaign. However, we need to raise £2.5 million, so help is still needed. To support the Crowdfunder log onto: www.greenspacescotland.org.uk/silverburn-flax-mill or text FLAX to 70085 to donate £5. Texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message or choose your own amount e.g. FLAX10 to 70085. This can be anything from £1 to £20. 

The new team of consultants enlisted to take forward the regeneration of Silverburn Park came together for an induction day at Silverburn Park in January 2020. Great group of experts with vast experience, really exciting, if very cold, day to launch the next chapter of our plans!

The team comprises specialist knowledge in a variety of areas from business planning and project development to evaluation, fundraising, interpretation and an historian, supporting the staff team at FEAT along with volunteers from our Board of Directors.

Further updates are available on our Silverburn facebook page and dedicated website.

We are celebrating success in 2019, having been shortlisted for two prestigious awards, locally and nationally.

We are a finalist in the Centre for Social Justice Awards (Work Category) and also the Fife Business Awards (Innovation) category, with both holding their ceremonies during March 2019 when we'll learn our fate.

This follows the success of two staff members in December 2018 who took prizes in the Fife Business Diversity Awards for overcoming barriers and successfully gaining and holding down employment with us.  Arran Ritchie took the Bronze Award and Catherine Grubb won Gold at the ceremony - huge congratulations to them both!

The Centre for Social Justice Award ceremony takes place on March 5th in London.  The CSJ Awards is an annual, high profile award ceremony that honours the best grassroot, poverty-fighting charities and social enterprises from across Britain. Five winners will receive a £10,000 grant and be profiled in front of hundreds of leading figures from across the country and we're excited to be a part of it this year.

The Fife Business Awards ceremony takes place on 29th March and will hosted by well-known personality Fred McAuley.  We are in the running for an award for our excellence in creativity and innovation.

To win either of these awards will be difficult - we're up against stiff competition indeed, however this is a great way to celebrate our 25th Anniversary whatever the result!